The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1887-06-16
TAIIROAD. IL

As per call 1 THEr,ApNpgATE last
week for rail- ad meeting number of
the enterprisir business men IF the city
gathered at he court house Saturday
evening and taxed over the advisability
of making an fort to capture the Dako-
ia extension the Illinois Central from
LeMars. Vile the attendance at that
meeting was ut ofan order that speaks
highly in praie of a set of people who
must look forard and ac. for whatever
prosperity my accrue, yet the deter
mined spirit Of those present demon
strated concluively that Canton yet con-
tains businessmen who will not down.
And THE ALLOCATE has a high regard
for this classo people. The pushers are
the only peole in the territory who are
true DakotaB. In country like this
where -pushand energy builds town,
and where lthargy tears down what has
already beer done--the business man is
not loyal to his town or to his territory
who refuses to put his shoulder to the
wheel. Ar Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Wat
ertovn, ABERDEEN and Yankton building
on that sortof capitat? Are they droncs,
sleepers ant kickers? Hardly.
To get out of the rut of contention, To-
cal squabbles and the quietude of an over
grown village Canton must have addition
al railroad connections. There is no de-
nying this fact. Within two years from
today southeastern Dakota will be one
vast network of railroads. Canton is al
ready hemmed in and cut off by rival
lines of road, until the country tributary
has been condensed TO an alarming ex-
tent. And this is not all. Three more
lines of road will build into, or very near:
Lincoln county within the next twelve
months. These are the Illinois Central
and the Duluth. The Duluth is liable to
build within eight or ten miles OF Can
ton on the west and the Central on the
northeast. We must get one of these
railroads if possible.
At the meeting Saturday evening a
committee was appointed, consisting of
Thos. Thorson, 0. s. Clifford, G. B.
Kennedy, A. R. Brown and NJ. L. Syv-
erud, who We're to report at an adjourned
meeting Tuesday evening. The turn
out at the last meeting was limited, and
the members of the committee present
stated in open meeting that they did not
seem to be receiving the proper encour-
agement and consequently hardly felt
like working against the tide. The COM
mittee stated that the people were apa-
thetic and great many we're not particu-
lar whether another road came in or not.
Mr.. Taylor was called upon for talk,
and that gentleman opened a broadside
into those who we're opposed to doing
anything for the welfare Of the city. He
stated plainly, that while he was individ-
ually interested in the Calliope line, he
was also interested in Canton. If the
committee thought an overland survey to
LeMars was The most practical, he was
with them and would put in his money
and work the same way. G. B. Ken
nedy also stated that while opposed to
the Calliope line he felt entirely willing
to leave the entire matter to committee.
The chair, j. W. Garter, appointed a
committee Of three to solicit subscrip-
tions and secure a profile of line from
Canton to LeMars, either on an air line,
or via Calliope, as they deemed expedi-
ent. This committee consists Of +. 2.
Thompson, N. M. jacobson and J. w.
Taylor. Calliope and LeMars business
men are willing to cooperate with Canton
toward the construction Of the Dakota
extension, and the committee will shortly
decide what plan to pursue.
II will be necessary in the very first
place to raise about $500 to get the pro-
file into the hands of the Central people.
Mayor Thorson has received letters from
the management promising to give the
Canton route thorough examination,
and also asking for profile of the route.
It is the only chance open for Canton and
should be worked for all there is in it.
The necessary funds should be raised il
half an hour. Only this morning THE
ADvocATE received instructions from an
Illinois gentleman who owns farm land
in Lincoln county to put him down fol
$50, if necessary, to secure the survey.
This gentleman does not own foot oi
land in Canton, but his town recently
gave $40, 900 to get the Illinois Central
connection and he thinksit good invest.
ment. Will the people of Canton do al
wclR
In response to request from THE AD-
yOCATE asking for review of the his